Volvo Group Australia announces upgrades to Queensland factory

Leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, Volvo Group Australia, will upgrade its current Wacol-based truck plant in Brisbane it announced yesterday.

The news was conveyed at the launch of its new $30 million Australian headquarters and Brisbane South dealership.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Volvo Group international President and CEO Martin Lundstedt both spoke at the opening of the new facility where a large throng of special guests and media were in attendance.

The refurbishment of the nearby Wacol truck plant according to Lundstedt attests to the strong outlook of the company as it ramps up its production.

“Our increase in market share towards 27 per cent over the past five years in combination with a strong heavy-duty truck market, makes it necessary to further increase our production capacity,” he said.

“In the past five years alone, production at our Wacol factory has increased by 40 per cent.”

Investment in the new Wacol factory will provide a boost to its 85 local component suppliers Lundstedt said.

With over 1500 employees nationally, Volvo Group Australia has produced more than 60,000 trucks from its Wacol factory since 1972 when it first began manufacturing in Queensland.

Palaszczuk welcomed the announcement as she said the factory, which employs 500 workers, was a significant part of the state’s manufacturing base.

“Volvo Group is the only truck manufacturer to be awarded ‘Australian Made’ certification, and we’re particularly proud to call them Queensland-made,” said Palaszczuk.

“Their commitment to the State is a vote of confidence in our future and testament to the State’s economic strength.”

The new headquarters houses offices, a dealership devoted to Volvo, Mack and UD Trucks, all of which had new models on display and a 33,000 square metre workshop at the new Metroplex Westgate business park.

The complex features a Leonardo Di Vinci-inspired helix central staircase in muted Scandinavian timber, a seven metre glass hangar door inside a 12.5 metre high atrium to accommodate display of the heavy vehicles.

Outgoing Volvo Group Australia President, Peter Voorhoeve said the building housed 200 staff.

“It’s a beautiful building but more than that it’s a tangible demonstration of Volvo Group’s commitment to its future operations in Australia,” he said.

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